ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

• DARLENE OEHLKE
• NIDO DE AGUILAS
• ESS

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EIA definition (IBO)

• A method of detailed survey required, in many
  countries, before a major development.
• Such a survey should include a baseline study to
  measure environmental conditions before
  development commences, and to identify areas and
  species of conservation importance.
• The report produced is known as an environmental
  impact statement (EIS)
• The monitoring should continue for some time
  after the development.

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Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA

• An EIA is a report prepared BEFORE a development
  project or large change in the way an area of
  land is used.
• The use of EIAs is a fairly recent process.
• 1970s USA
• 1985 Europe

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Development projects

• Road construction
• A hydroelectric power plant
• A dam on a river
• An airport
• An extension of a city for housing
• A mine

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Examples of projects from the AECOM company
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Purpose of an EIA

• To aid in planning of development
• To understand the environmental impact that may
  occur from a project before it is put into place
  (scoping)
• To help determine ways to minimize the damage
  done to the environment

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An EIA will examine

• The original environment
• Possible impacts on human life and the
  environment
• Ways to reduce negative impacts
• Economic benefits and other benefits of the
  project

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Baseline Study

• The baseline study will include measurements of
• Microclimate
• Biodiversity Biotic components
• Scenery
• Abiotic components
• Human populations in the area

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Scoping

• Identify the key issues and concerns of the
  interested parties
• Who is concerned?
• What are the concerns?
• What is the level of concern where the
  development becomes unacceptable?

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Summary of the purposes of the EIA

• Support the goals of environmental protection and
  sustainable development
• Integrate environmental protection and economic
  decisions at the earliest stages of planning
• To predict environmental, social, economic and
  cultural consequences
• To mitigate any adverse impacts
• To provide involvement of the public and
  government agencies

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Sample flow chart from a project in Malaysia
http//www.njv.com.fj/waisoi-project-environmental
-impact-assessment/
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Examples

• EIA Mojave Wind Farm
• EIA review checklist for mining

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EIA

• EIA may be defined as a formal process used to
  predict the environmental consequences of any
  development project. EIA thus ensures that the
  potential problems are foreseen and addressed at
  an early stage in the projects planning and
  design.
• Manu and Anshu, UEMRI-India

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Bibliography

• Environmental Impact Assessment UNEP
• IB ESS Course Companion pages 299-300